Last year, the Covid-19 pandemic forced wrestling promotions to hold their show without fans in attendance. It turned out to be a difficult task for the wrestling companies. Every match felt the need for the live audience’s reaction.
To counter empty arenas, WWE introduced the Thunderdome wall inside the performance centre. It enabled live virtual fans to tune into RAW and SmackDown. Meanwhile, AEW made their in-ring talents sit ringside, making it look like they have an actual live audience.
In an interview with UPI.com, Tony Khan discussed numerous topics, most notably why he didn’t install Thunderdome inside the Daily’s Place. The AEW president stated that he did like the idea of introducing virtual fans, but he felt the need to have fans in attendance:
In August last year, AEW became the first major wrestling promotion to welcome back fans in a limited capacity with precautionary sitting measures.
AEW President Tony Khan believes fans make the product better
Tony Khan further added that fans enhance the product better, and wrestling matches feel incomplete without them:
In hindsight, the company produced the Double or Nothing event in front of 5000 fans at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville. The company has steadily brought back fans and will start touring again from July 7th onwards.
Do you think Tony Khan was right to bring fans back into attendance this early? Sound off in the comment section below.
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